Title
Federal Transit Administration Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Grants and Contracts
Action
Action:
A. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute contracts with the following organizations as sub-recipients for Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 grant projects:
1. Iredell County for a project not to exceed $38,673,
2. Metrolina Association for the Blind for a project not to exceed $123,255, and
3. Union County for a project not to exceed $43,644.
B. Appropriate $205,572 from the CATS Community Investment Plan to be used in accordance with Federal Transit Administration guidelines for the three grant projects to be managed by Iredell County, Metrolina Association for the Blind, and Union County, and
C. Appropriate $488,689 from the CATS Community Investment Plan to be used in accordance with Federal Transit Administration guidelines for two projects to be managed by CATS.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Larry Kopf, CATS
Dee Pereira, CATS
Explanation
§ The Federal Transit Administration Section 5310 program (FTA Program) is designed to award grants to improve transportation service to elderly persons and persons with disabilities.
§ CATS’ is the designated recipient of FTA Program funds for the urbanized area, which includes acting as administrator of funds for appropriate sub-recipient projects. Appropriate CATS projects are also eligible FTA Program funds, with CATS as the direct recipient of the funds in such cases.
§ Grant funds typically cover a portion of the total project cost, up to 50% of the total project cost for operating projects, up to 80% of the total project cost for most capital projects, and up to 85% of the total cost for capital projects pertaining to vehicle purchase.
§ The appropriation of $205,572 consists of 5310 grant funds, which will be matched by the sub-recipients, as described below.
- The Iredell County project provides demand-response transportation services to elderly and disabled citizens. It is a 50/50 grant project that will be matched by Iredell County local funds.
- The Metrolina Association for the Blind project provides door-through-door transportation service to visually-impaired citizens. It is a 50/50 grant project that will be matched by Metrolina Association for the Blind funds.
- The Union County project provides senior transportation services. It is a 50/50 grant project that will be matched by Union County local funds.
§ The appropriation of $488,689 consists of FTA Program funds and the CATS local match in view of CATS status as the direct recipient for the projects described below.
- A CATS project to purchase two wheelchair-accessible vans for the CATS Vanpool Program. The total project cost is $143,000 (85% Section 5310 grant and 15% local match provided by CATS).
- A CATS project to provide bus shelters and sidewalk improvements for patrons who will use two bus stops near the planned new Goodwill location on Wilkinson Boulevard. The total project cost is $284,090 (80% Section 5310 grant and 20% local match provided by CATS).
- As allowed under the FTA Program, $61,599 will be earmarked to fund CATS administration of the grants associated with the sub-recipient and CATS programs described.
Fiscal Note
Funding: Federal Transit Admininistration Grant to include matching funds from three agencies, and the CATS Community Investment Plan